Electrical distributor



May' e, 1924. 1,493,027

, E. A. FRIES ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTOR y* Filed May El. 1923 Patented May 6, 1924.

UNITED STATES EDWARD A. FRIES, 0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTOR,

Application led May 31, 1923.

To all whom t may concer/n.'

Be it known that I, EDWARD A. Finns, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Boston, Dorchester, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electrical Distributors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in electrical distributors' and has particular reference to distributors forming the timing mechanism for internal combustion engines.

A characteristic and particularly advantageousapplication of the invention is in connection with the inexpensive types of timers manufactured for original or replacement equipment on Ford automobiles. The standard Ford timer mechanism includes a rotating timer shaft provided with a bracket having a pivoted rocker arm hearing a contact roll. The arm is ordinarily outwardly actuated by suitable spring mechanism against the internal cylindrical contact path of the timer shell. This path is provided by an annular member of non-conducting material having embedded therein a plurality of metallic plates having projecting studs which form binding posts for the ground wires of the primary of the vibrator coils. The coils are successively grounded by engagement of the contact roller with one of thecontacts in the annular path.

The difficulty which has been experienced for years in connection with the foregoing construction is that the roller and contacts wear severely and unevenly, the contacts frequently Wearing into a wave-like or undulating surface. As the roller passes over this surface it will tend to jump, forming an imperfect connection and causing the engine to misfire. The average life of such timers is but a few thousand miles. Then worn, it is practically impossible to satisfactorily repair the timer. This necessitates throwing away of the complete timer casing or distributor head and associated parts, and in addition frequently requires replacement of the roll unit- Not only is this a matter of expense, but itis particularly obiectionable due to the uneven and unsatisfactory operation ofthe engine when these parts become worn. Frequently the reason for the source of trouble is not recognized by the owner or repairer, and they attempt to remedy the difficulty through replacementvof plugs, vibrators or other parts.

Serial No. 642,418.

Realizing the lobjectionable features of present timer mechanisms, it is the primary object of the present invention to improve the current distribution and ignition effect while continuing to use the major portion of the standard equipment timer.

Further objects are to avoid the recurrent expense of replacementof the parts, to facilitate keeping the timing mechanism up to highest efficiency, to permit of the utilization of either old or new timers with wiper contacts, in place of the customary roller contacts. to eliminate the necessity of lubrication of the parts` and to thus insure better electrical contact being established by preventing formation of the dirt and oil film which is ordinarily present on the contact surfaces.

Further objects of the invention include the provision of an improved method of truing or forming a contact path in timing mechanism for internal combustion engines without the necessity of special machinery. and of an improved method for transforming the ordinary roller-contact timer shell into a member for satisfactory cooperation with a lateral wiping contact.

In its broadest aspect, therefore.r the invention consists of a novel process of forming or truing the contact path of timing mechanism. characterized by relatively shifting cooperating contacts and utilizing` one of the contacts to complete the circuit for operation of the connected internal combustion engine and at the same time to serve as an abrading member shaping the opposed contact.

ln another' aspect the invention comprises a bracket member in the form of a sleeve or otherwise which may be substituted for the ordinary roller contact and its bracket or support` which has an abrading portion for laterally engaging the contact ring of a standard type timer and which will automatically form a wiper contact path o-n the side of the usual contact ring during the operation of the engine. AThe invention in this aspect further contemplates a wiper -member having a smooth nonabrading portion and an abrading portion. so that after formation of the wiper'path the nonabrading contact surface may be employed. The abrading surface. however, is at all times a part of the article and ready for use in truing up the wiper path if required.

In a more specific aspect the invention comprises a bracket for application to a timer shaft having a radial projection which bears an axially extending offset post -on which a wiper is mounted, the wiper being forwardly pressed for engagement with a contact path in the timer casing and being held against twisting movement. The post at its base is rounded or reduced in size so that, when rearwardly forced, the wiper may be rotated to selectively shift its several surfaces into operative position. Suitable resilient means are axially disposed on the post for forcing the wiper into operative position.

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the operationv of the abrading contact;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1; Y

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical'sectional view similar to Fig. 1 showing the nonabrading wiper in use;

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a similar view illustrating the adjustment of the wiper.

VFig. 6 is section on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the wiper: and

Fig. 8 is a detailed view of the post.

In the drawings 10 designates vthe motor block or casing having projecting therefrom the timer shaft 11 reduced at 12 :to receive a timer bracketor sleeve.

Enclosing the projecting end is the timer shell 13 held ragainst the frame for rotative movement by a spring plate 14.

Within the shell is aring 15 of fibre or like non-.conducting material having seats in its inner face at 16 tov receive contact plates 17 which form a flush continuation of the inner and side faces of the member 15. Binding post lugs 18 extend Voutward from contacts 17 throughring 15'and shell 13 in insulated relation tothe latter. These binding posts are connected by wires 19 with the vibrator coils of the ignition system.

The foregoing is the customary timer. mechanism of the Ford automobile.

In ordinary usage a bracket sleeve disposed on the reduced end 12 bears a roller forced outward by combinedspring, and centrifugal action against the contained annular path formed by member 15 and einbedded` contacts 17 The action of this rollertends to produce -the uneven ribbed or wavy effect indicated 113.20. l

A. timer shell such as shown in Fig. 2 is ordinarily considered worthless and thrown away as junk. g The present invention however makes itl possible to continue to use such a worn timer and obtain entirely satisfactory ignition. 5 l

The invention comprises a bracket sleeve 21 fitted on the reduced., outer end 12 of the timer shaft andsecured by pin 22, locking collar 23 and nut 24 in the usual manner.

Vwiper -or contact plate 27.

This sleeve has a radial arm 25 bearing the rectangular or polygonal post 26 and Plate 27 has a serrated or abrading surface 28, and smooth wiper contact portion 29 for selective engagement with the side of member 15 and 17. A spring 30 interposed between arm 25 and 'plate 27 outwardly actuates the plate in an axial direction, this movement being limited by washer 31 onthe end of the post, having the rearwardly deflected flange 32 providing a fulcrum on which the plate rocks. A rivet member 33 either integral vwith the post or extending therethrough secures the parts in assembled rela-V` tion. j

yArm 25 is preferably formed with a socket 34, and spring 30 is spiral wound so that it may compress in the socket by rearward forcing' of plate 27 as shown in Fig. 6. This rearward forcing shifts the plate to the reduced portion' 35 of the post which is preferably Around and allows the plate to be rotated to bring either portion 28 or 29 into upper operative position.

In the 'use' of the present invention the spring arm14 islswung to vone side and the timer.removed.A By takingoff nut 24 and collar 23, pin 22 may be withdrawn and the ordinary contact and its support removed. Sleeve l21, with its associate parts, is substituted and the pin, collar and nut replaced to secure it in position. The timer shell is then applied and secured and the engine started. Plate 27 when applied is positioned with its abrading face 28 projecting radially beyond post 26. Application of the timer shell causes the rear face 0f ring 15 to bear'against the plate 27 forcing it back Vsomewhat against the pressure of spring 30 as shown in Fig. 1. Operation of the engine by either crank or starter will cause platev 27 to travel over'the edge of ring 15 and member 17, the contact between` plate 27, and members 17 successively grounding the coils to energize .the ignition circuit so that the engine will operate.

v y'Ihe surface y28 of plate 27 acts both as a contact lmember and also as an abrading tool producing the beveled path36 on the face of members 1'5 and 17. In about live minutes a satisfactory path for lateral wiper contact will be worn or cut on theA side of the parts 15 and 17 and Aany laterally projecting burr on member 17 due to previous pounding thereagainst of the contact roller will be removed. yThe engine is then stopped, the timer shell removed, and plate 27 pressed reawardly against arm 5 and rotated, swinging portion 28 inward and the smooth wiper portion 29 outward, and the timer shell replaced. Vil-iper portion 29 will then ride yin continuous contact with the established Vwiper path, being substantially radially actuated by spring 30 and insuring a constant even contact not appreciably affected by centrifugal or other action at varying speeds of the motor.

I claim:

l. An attachment for the timer shaft of an internal combustion engine including a support and a Wiper contact mounted on the support, said contact having abrading and non-abrading surfaces alternately shittable into operative position.

2. A timer contact assembly including a supporting arm and post on the arm having a fulcrum, a cont-act plate loosely mounted on the post, and a spring intermediate the plate and support for actuating the plate in the direction of the ulcrum.

3. A timer contact assembly including a supporting arm and a post on the arm having a fulcrum, a contact plate loosely mounted on the post, and a spring intermediate the plate and support for actuating the plate in the direction of the fulcrum, the plate having abrading and non-abrading portions alternatively presentable in operative position.

4. A contact member for application to the timer shaft of an internal combustion engine, including a portion for engaging the shaft, a radially projecting arm on said portion, an axially projecting post on the arm having portions of different cross sectional configuration, and a plate loosely mounted on the post for rotation When in engagement with the portion of one configuration, said plate and post interfitting to prevent such relative rotation when the plate is in enagement with the portion of thepost of different configuration.

5. A device of the character described, including a support, an arm on the support, a post carried by the arm having a rounded portion and a polygonal portion, and a plate mounted on the post having a polygonal aperture fitting the post, the diameter of the aperture being greater than that of the round port-ion of the post, and means for resiliently securing the plate on the polygonal portion of the post.

6. A device of the character described including a support, an arm on the support having a socket, a post having a reduced rounded portion centrally secured in the socket, and having an enlarged polygonal portion projecting outwardly therefrom, a plate mounted on the post having a polygonal aperture receiving post, said plate being of less thickness than the length of the projecting rounded portion of the post, and a spiral spring on the post intermediate the plate and the arm, whereby said spring normally outwardly actuates the plate on the post, but may be compressed in the socket as the plate is shifted toward the rounded portion of the post.

7. A device ot' the character described including an attaching portion, an arm carried thereby, a post projecting from the arm, a fulcrum member carried by the post, a plate slidable on the post, and means intermediate the plate and arm for resiliently actuating the plate on the post in the direction of the fulcrum. 4

8. Distributor mechanism for internal combustion engines including a timer shell having a beveled Wiper` path including conducting and intermediate nonconducting portions, and a rotor having a contact wiper resiliently pressed against said path, said Wiper having a path-truing portion movable into and out of operative engagement With the path.

9. A device of the character described including a support for attachment to a timer shaft having a radially disposed arm, an axially disposed post on the arm, a Wiper contact ulcrumed on the arm, and axially acting means on the post for actuating the contact about its fulcrum.

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts, this 29th day of May, 1923.

EDVARD A. FRIES. 

